Monthly Archives: November 2009

$10.00 entry per person and $5.00 per item to be valued. Limit 3.
Refreshments will be on sale throughout the day. Private Insurance appraisals available on Friday night and Sunday morning. Information and bookings Lynette 768 7887.

This reunion has been organized by the following volunteers who make up the Reunion Committee: Colin Spark (Chairman) Roseann Leask (Secretary) Harold Leask Kevin Frewin
Bill Hunt Charlie Blanchett Alan Giles (Treasurer)

. The Book: The committee has organized the compilation and printing of the book Memories of Dispatch on the history of the Foundry, the evening meal, arranged the Shantytown tour and the tour of Dispatch & Garlic Ltd and organ1zed the get-together at the Greymouth Workingmen’s Club. The supper on Sunday has been sponsored by local businesses whose owners are past employees of Dispatch. No payments have been made to any committee members or profits gathered from any of the scheduled events. The committee has attempted to break even on the printing of the book which will be provided on arrival at the event. The registration fee will cover printing and stationery costs as well as postage and other miscellaneous expenses incurred in the organization and running of this event.

. The Dinner: It is intended that formality is kept to a minimum so that people can talk to each other and so nothing formal will be organized for the dinner other than the fact that the hostess has requested that we start at 7:00 p.m. sharp. We will show slides of historical photographs during the evening meal and perhaps invite some of those present to share memories as recorded in the Grey River Argus during coffee time, if they so wish. The three course meal will consist of a main course, dessert and tea or coffee to finish.

. Shantytown Tour: For those interested in taking the opportunity to visit (or revisit) Shantytown, you will learn of plans to recreate a foundry, based on Dispatch, during the early 1900s and even see the development of this project. You could also learn about the new Steam Engine school operating there in association with Tai Poutini Polytechnic, offering qualifications in the maintenance and operation of these machines. A local tour operator’s bus service will collect you, take you to Shantytown, leave you for several hours and then return you to Greymouth. Matt and Lynda Lysaght, principals of Kea West Coast Tours have reduced their price for transporting you to and from Shantytown from $15 to $10 and the Shantytown Trust have reduced their entry price from $25 to $10. The organisers wish to thank them for their consideration and ask Reunion Guests to consider supporting this visit.

. Dispatch Tour: The tour of Dispatch and Garlic Ltd will give you the opportunity to reminisce on-site but we must warn you that under the new owners, the business has changed considerably. However, the building is pretty much as it was when Dispatch Engineering Ltd relinquished ownership. We appreciate the fact that the current owners have given us this opportunity.

. Get Together: The Sunday afternoon event is considered the highlight where reunion participants can mingle and talk to friends over a drink or two. It is intended to commence at 3:00 p.m. but if you wish to arrive a bit later, this will not be a problem. This is an informal gathering and a key opportunity to share early recollections with past workmates. A sponsored supper will be provided in the early evening to enable travellers to leave earlier if they wish and the organising committee wish to acknowledge the following sponsors of this event: K Frewin (R & N Trading Ltd), A Giles (Westland Lawnmower Service), E and P Gray (Gray Brothers’ Ltd), G Liddell, (G T Liddell Engineering Ltd), L Swinburn (E-Quip Ltd) and A Becker.

The Dispatch Foundry Co. Ltd. Reunion Committee members wish to thank all of our sponsors for their support of this event – one which is probably unlikely to be repeated.

Phil Garland is one of New Zealand’s true musical treasures, a respected folklorist and a musical balladeer who has recorded 17 albums. His mission for over 30 years has been to gather and preserve for posterity, the songs and stories of New Zealand.

Phil and his band ‘Bush Telegraph’ are available to present Bush, Folk and Country Music for Festivals, Barn Dances, Ceilidhs, Hoedowns, Bars, Schools and Conventions. Superb entertainment for all types of social occasions.

Phil Garland is one of New Zealand’s true musical treasures, a respected folklorist and a musical balladeer who has recorded 17 albums. His mission for over 30 years has been to gather and preserve for posterity, the songs and stories of New Zealand.

Phil and his band ‘Bush Telegraph’ are available to present Bush, Folk and Country Music for Festivals, Barn Dances, Ceilidhs, Hoedowns, Bars, Schools and Conventions. Superb entertainment for all types of social occasions.

You are invited…..Come along for an evening of information and tips about toddler toilet training. There will be pull up’s samples plus supper provided and a toilet training RAFFLE available.
Numbers limited….register early by phoning either Stacey 768 7706 or Donna 736 9994.
See you there!
***REGISTRATIONS ESSENTIAL***

Greymouth Parents Centre provides and sets up the venue, heating, advertising, parking, trestle tables…all for a small cost to hire a trestle/space from which you can sell your pre-loved items such as clothing, furniture, toys, strollers, etc.
For the bargain hunters…everything is all under one roof.
We also include an early childhood expo where various groups display what they can do for you and your children.
Entry is free. Lots of extras like sausage sizzle, bacon sandwiches, drinks, a raffle, etc.